Buchla and Associates

Buchla and Associates designs and sells 4U format modular synthesizer modules. The company is run by Don Buchla in the USA.

Buchla and Associates was started by Don Buchla in 1963 when he created the 100 series Modular Electronic Music System. In 1970 Buchla and Associates developed the 200 series Electric Music Box. In 1971 the 500 series was introduced, becoming the first hybrid digitally controlled analog synthesizer. The microprocessor controlled series 300 (series 200 analog modules combined with 300 series digital modules) was also introduced. The Music Easel was conceived in 1972 as a portable performance oriented instrument. The Touché was introduced in 1978. The series 400 synthesizer was released in 1982 and featured a video display. Buchla and Associates added MIDI with the 700 series synthesizer, introduced in 1987. Buchla shifted his attention to controllers and designed the Thunder (1990) and Lightning (1991). In 1996 with the improved Lightning II was released. The gold edition of the Marimba Lumina was introduced in 1999. The silver Marimba Lumina 3.5 (2000), and the smaller Marimba Lumina 2.5 (2001) were added. The Piano Bar was introduced in 2002, manufactured and distributed by Moog Music Inc. The 200 series was resurrected in 2002, and finally released as the 200e in 2004. The 200e system has been under continuous development since then.